(a) Action. - When the Commission objects to a
permanent rule, it must send the agency that adopted the rule a written
statement of the objection and the reason for the objection. The agency that
adopted the rule must take one of the following actions:

(1) Change the rule to satisfy the Commission's
objection and submit the revised rule to the Commission.

(2) Submit a written response to the Commission
indicating that the agency has decided not to change the rule.

(b) Time Limit. - An agency that is not a board or
commission must take one of the actions listed in subsection (a) of this
section within 30 days after receiving the Commission's statement of objection.
A board or commission must take one of these actions within 30 days after
receiving the Commission's statement of objection or within 10 days after the
board or commission's next regularly scheduled meeting, whichever comes later.

(c) Changes. - When an agency changes a rule in response
to an objection by the Commission, the Commission must determine whether the
change satisfies the Commission's objection. If it does, the Commission must
approve the rule. If it does not, the Commission must send the agency a written
statement of the Commission's continued objection and the reason for the
continued objection. The Commission must also determine whether the change is
substantial. In making this determination, the Commission shall use the
standards set forth in G.S. 150B-21.2(g). If the change is substantial, the
revised rule shall be published and reviewed in accordance with the procedure
set forth in G.S. 150B-21.1(a3) and (b).

(d) Return of Rule. - A rule to which the Commission
has objected remains under review by the Commission until the agency that
adopted the rule decides not to satisfy the Commission's objection and makes a
written request to the Commission to return the rule to the agency. When the
Commission returns a rule to which it has objected, it must notify the Codifier
of Rules of its action. If the rule that is returned would have increased or
decreased expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government, the
Commission must also notify the Governor of its action and must send a copy of
the record of the Commission's review of the rule to the Governor. The record
of review consists of the rule, the Commission's letter of objection to the
rule, the agency's written response to the Commission's letter, and any other
relevant documents before the Commission when it decided to object to the rule.